Chapter II: The Campus of Starlight
Though isolated from the city, and hidden, University of the Constellations boosts of opportunities and freedom towards its workers. It benefits and offers quality education, and the development of competent, and socially responsible students, administrators, staff, alumni, and dialogue partners.
Within the grandeur halls with European influences, a combination of Baroque, Gothic, and Pseudo-Romanesque style of architecture, the university aims to be a center of excellence and integral formation through quality education. This institution has a rich past, overlooking a tall and long events in its history.
Founded by each department subsequently characterized by their own constellation or zodiac sign, it boosts a reputation of unity. According to some sources, in the year 1200 AD, the site was once used as a ritual or religious site by a cult until some unidentified forces claim it. Then, as early as the Edo Era, it became a lodging site. Then it became a house of a charcoal burner. Then, in the Meiji Era, a mysterious dark force erupted in the forest and a nearby group with powerful constellation powers subdued it.
A group called SEIZA is nearby. SEIZA is a group of Japanese fighters who doesn't have a connection to the government, yet fights for justice using the powers of the constellations. The group had a small headquarters in the mountain that was destroyed by mysterious dark forces. The organization had 400 members at that time. The members fight the mysterious dark forces, but they get outnumbered. Some go to camouflage in the forests. Some flee into the city. And some died in the hands of the mysterious forces. The headmaster of the organization fights with determination in order to let the organization to live on and to not dismantle. However, as he fights the mysterious forces, he gets knocked down, slips off the cliff, and gets impaled on a tree. Knowing the deaths of many superiors, and even the headmaster, only 12 members are left to handle the evil forces. By combining their powers, they defeat the evil forces, and stay loyal to their organization and it is to promote justice and to protect societies from evil's harm.
After defeating the mysterious force, the 12 members of the organization promises to protect the site forever. And they make a pledge in their honor. Each member have different powers which is a derivative of their own constellation. They are of Aries, Taurus, Gemini, Cancer, Leo, Virgo, Libra, Scorpio, Sagittarius, Capricorn, Aquarius, and Pisces. In such sense, each are like a constellation. These are known as the 12 founders of the university. In order for the cultivation of powers will be a general practice and to enhance them more, they pledge to train apprentices from moments on.
"From this day on, we, the 12 members of SEIZA, an organization that helps people in need, in the pursuance of freedom, liberty, and aspirations, are gathered here today, in order to open an institution that shall embody the powers of the constellations, and in order to advocate for justice, and peace throughout the community. In strengthening, training, and practice in saving lives, giving opportunities to those who are deprived of their own freedom and liberty, this institution shall stand as a learning center, for those who are willing to protect the community, and to abide to national justice. With the powers invested in us, Aries, Taurus, Gemini, Cancer, Leo, Virgo, Libra, Scorpio, Sagittarius, Capricorn, Aquarius, and Pisces; shall serve as a model and the pillars that founded this institution. May this institution, be protected at all cost, and be kept in good hands with the guidance of the stars."
However, the 12 members are only those who are powerful to wield their powers. They are already born with the powers invested to them by generations of heredity. Their fathers already had their own power, their grandfathers have their own power, their grandfathers' grandfathers' have their own power, and so on. Mysteriously enough, it can be traced from a long timeline before them. Each born in their own respective constellation, have their power. But more confusingly, there is one person who started all that power, but nobody knows how.
The campus started out as a small dojo in the middle of nowhere for secretive location and its privacy. However, it doesn't mean that the government is against it, but it's the opposite. The government supports the idea of this, since a lot have woken their constellation powers but don't know how to control it.
"Due to the unwavering support of the organization, in order to protect human lives, the organization is not technically illegal. Thus sense, it is an organization that promotes the preservation of societies and communities in different areas, and to establish stronger connections and bonds towards the Japanese Islands. Thus, a top school to be established, hereby supported by the Japanese government."
Over the years, the dojo have enlarged. Funded by the government and some international investors, though it is like a private school. However, many investors and architects came to fund it, promoting infrastructure, research, equipment, and innovations that have further supported its foundation and into progress and development. From a small Japanese-style dojo, into a large campus composed of 100 buildings, serving research, and specializations.
100 Years after the foundation of the university, the University administrators at the time, open the Founders' Memorial Plaza, which pays tribute to the 12 original founders of the university.
Ryujin's aunt, Marielle Shikaku, is an instructor within the college department. She specializes in the Japanese language, especially in the writing systems of Hiragana, Kanji, and Katakana. The college department unlike other universities are still compact since there are still expansion projects and programs under its way in order to support the growing population of the campus.
Ryujin's family's teachers are still teaching in the prestigious university with still their knowledge broader and a lot of wisdom learned by each individuals that walked in and out of the campus.
In 2018, Principal Fukushu Kimura with the assistance of Dr. Denji Aoshima, opens the special high school program for students whose grade is 89 and above. This is the Special Power and Defense Class, a class to advance the powers of the constellations that will be the backbone of abilities and to improve the review of related literature for generations to come.